Thermo Scientific EQuan MAX Plus Systems

Significance of the Topic

Environmental and beverage water contamination by trace-level pesticides, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine disruptors, and perfluorinated compounds poses growing health risks. Detection at increasingly lower limits of detection is crucial for monitoring emerging and regulated contaminants. Automated, high-throughput LC-MS workflows address regulatory and research demands by enabling rapid, sensitive, and reliable analysis of complex water and beverage matrices.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study presents the EQuan MAX Plus system as a turn-key LC-MS solution designed to simplify sample preparation, accelerate method development, and support both targeted and nontargeted screening of trace contaminants in environmental and beverage samples. The goal is to demonstrate improved laboratory productivity, method flexibility, and detection performance across diverse compound classes.

Methodology

The workflow integrates automated online sample preparation using column-switching technology to preconcentrate analytes from sample volumes ranging from microliters to tens of milliliters. Following enrichment, analytes are backflushed onto the analytical column for LC-MS analysis. The system works seamlessly with TraceFinder software, providing preconfigured methods, data acquisition templates, and reporting formats. Both high-resolution accurate-mass (HR/AM) full-scan and selected-reaction monitoring techniques are supported.

Instrumentation Used

• EQuan MAX Plus online sample preparation platform with column switching
• UltiMate 3000 XRS UHPLC pump and degasser
• UltiMate 3000 XRS open autosampler and column compartment
• Thermo Scientific TSQ series triple quadrupole mass spectrometer
• Exactive Plus benchtop Orbitrap mass spectrometer
• Q Exactive hybrid quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometer
• Hypersil Gold and Hypercarb trapping and analytical columns with various chemistries for broad compound coverage

Main Results and Discussion

Online sample preparation reduced total analysis times from several hours to under an hour, minimizing manual handling and variability. HR/AM measurements at resolutions up to 140000 enabled clear separation of isobaric compounds, reducing false positives and negatives. Targeted workflows with triple quadrupole MS delivered enhanced specificity and low limits of quantitation via high-resolution SRM and QED-MS/MS. Nontargeted screening with full-scan HR/AM data allowed retrospective data mining for unexpected contaminants without rerunning samples.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Substantial time savings through automated online concentration and direct injection
• Improved sensitivity and lower limits of detection for a wide range of contaminants
• Simplified assay development with preconfigured methods and software-driven optimization
• Flexible workflow supporting both targeted quantitation and untargeted screening
• Reduced risk of sample loss and contamination due to minimal manual handling

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advances in high-resolution mass spectrometry, machine learning algorithms for data analysis, and expanded online libraries for unknown screening are expected to further enhance contaminant identification and quantitation. Future developments may include integrated metabolomics profiling, real-time monitoring of water treatment processes, and greater automation using robotics and cloud-based data platforms.

Conclusion

The EQuan MAX Plus system represents a comprehensive LC-MS solution for rapid, sensitive, and reliable analysis of trace contaminants in water and beverage samples. By combining automated online sample preparation, flexible instrumentation configurations, and powerful data processing software, laboratories can achieve higher throughput, improved detection capabilities, and streamlined workflows to meet evolving regulatory and research needs.